Ian Callender, 1 May 2001
THE rehabilitation of Decker Curry back into the international set-up was completed yesterday with the announcement that he will be vice-captain of the squad to travel to the ICC Trophy in June. For someone who has not played an official Ireland match since August 1997 it is a remarkable tranformation but National Coach Ken Rutherford, confirming the appointment yesterday, said it was an "obvious decision". "We are hardly endowed with experienced players and Decker was a member of both Ireland's previous ICC Trophy squads. Hopefully, he can pass on his experience to the young players," said Rutherford.
The past does not concern the New Zealander - any disagreement he may have had with Mike Hendrick or Angus Dunlop has nothing to do with him - and since his return to the fold Curry has impressed the coach with his fierce competiveness. "He is a great competitor and all who know him accept him as such. He is a good reader of the game, and his tactical knowledge will be of great assistance to the captain. Coming from the North West, he has a pragmatic attitude and that's another good aspect for the future." Curry was unavailable for comment last night but Rutherford said the new vice-captain was "mildly surprised" by his appointment. Little wonder. This time last year his international career seemed to be over, having pulled out of the Ireland squad for the Emerging Nations Tournament, just two weeks before they left for Zimbabwe. His Ireland obituary was written but he has always insisted that at that stage he never retired. Others may take that decision, he had said, but his quote than was that the time was not right for a return to the international set-up. He did not feel part of it.
So, for Curry last summer was, like the two previous summers, spent in the international wilderness but the selectors always had Curry in their plans for the ICC Trophy. Ireland are not so well off for players that they can turn down not just a potential match-winner but the country's best player and another successful season with Limavady, which yielded more than 1,200 runs at an average of 49 and 52 wickets at just 13 runs apiece, was more than enough to win him the Britannia Player of the Year for the second successive year. At about the same time, Angus Dunlop announced his retirement from international cricket and from then on Curry was on board, fully committed to the Ireland squad and his regular attendance at the winter nets proved the point.
He did not have a vintage time in South Africa on Ireland's tour in March but he got five uncapped games under his belt and, encouragingly, the 61 in his last innings against a strong Northerns Invitation side was Curry back to somewhere near his best. The responsibility of vice-captaincy can only help Curry's immediate international future - he thrives on leadership and Kyle McCallan, the captain, has never hidden his admiration for the Limavady all-rounder. "It has to be a better team with Decker on board," he said on Curry's return to the squad.
With another piece of the jigsaw in place, Rutherford remains confident that the Ireland team which leaves for Canada on June 24 will be the best prepared team to leave these shores. The other 12 names will be announced after the next trial game at Stormont on Saturday week.